50 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XI 
even more; the eholla ( Of> a n tia fiilgid a ) , tree-like and 12 feet high; the dense 
woolly cholla ( Ofuntia bigelovii ); the bisnaga (Echinocadiis wislizenii) , which 
furnishes drink to the traveler in extremity; and others too numerous to describe 
here. The ocotilla with spiny tentacles waving ten or twelve feet in air, each 
crowned with crimson bloom, is a feature next the foothills. Shrubs seen are the 
creosote bush ( Com/ lea tridentata)\ two salt bushes (Atnfilex canescens and A. 
lent i form is)\ grease wood ( Sarcobatus vermicularis)-, and a few others. Trees, 
so-called, in this stretch of country are the mesquite, screw-bean, ironwood 
{Gluey a tesota ) , two species of palo verde ( Parkinsonia torreyana and P. niicro- 
phylla ), and the crucifixion thorn ( Holocantha emoryi). 
This mixture, of river bottom, sloping upland to the hills, dry sand washes 
running from hill to river, and the hills themselves, makes a varied bird range, 
and judging from their numbers a perfect paradise for thrashers. Of these, five 
species are seen: Sage ( Oroscoptcs montanus)\ Palmer ( Toxostoma curvirostre 
falmeri ); Bendire (7'. bendirei) ; Leconte ( T. lecontei ); and Crissal ( T . crissale) . 
The Sage Thrasher is here only for the winter, and was first noted November 
30. The last seen was March 30. They were not numerous at any time and 
occurred any place from river to hills. 
Palmer, Bendire and Crissal thrashers were very numerous, and it is difficult to 
determine which predominated. The ranges of Palmer and Bendire coincided as 
near as I could judge, and they were both seen at many points from river to hill. 
Crissal, with a few exceptions, confined himself to the dense mesquite and other 
growth near the river bottom. In no case did I find any of the thrashers up any 
distance on the hills. Too barren and rocky, I believed. 
Leconte Thrasher was very rare, only five pairs being seen the past year, and 
they were in or near the dry sand washes away from the river. 
As far as I have observed the four species of Toxostoma are resident here. 
Some of them may leave for a short time in the fall but there seems to be no regu- 
lar migration. Bendire in particular seems scarce during the latter part of Septem- 
ber and during October and November, but is occasionally seen during all that 
time. It is probably its dormant period, to recuperate from the molt. 
In the field it is somewhat difficult to be sure in distinguishing the three 
species, Palmer, Bendire and Crissal. At close range, or if the birds are near 
enough together to compare, it is easy enough; but at a distance a single bird may 
puzzle. In general it may be said that Crissal is darkest, has more curve to his 
bill and has a bobbing, jerky flight quite similar to that of the California Thrasher. 
Palmer is a little larger, apparently at any rate, is lighter in color and has much of 
the same jerky flight. Bendire is smallest and lightest of the three and has a 
smooth, even flight. Both Palmer and Bendire have obsolete spots on the breast 
and light tips to outside tail feathers, but Bendire has the more distinct spots and 
whiter tail tips. At close range, say on the nest, the eye is indicative. Crissal has 
a straw-colored iris; Palmer, orange; and Bendire, orange red. Leconte of course 
is unmistakable with his light sandy complexion and fast-running habit. 
The Palmer and Bendire seem naturally much tamer than the others and come 
about homes quite frequently. All summer I placed pieces of watermelon in the 
shade of a school building — vacation time and no children about — and both these 
thrashers came freely and ate with a family of scolding Cactus Wrens. But never 
a Crissal appeared. The Palmer and Crissal dug in the garden and also ate wheat 
planted near by, and frequented the barn and well. They would come and drink 
from an iron kettle placed on the ground for the chickens. At the Casa Grande 
ruins the custodian had a large can placed so water from it dripped onto a milk 
